MushieMushie promotes global sustainability through environmental conservation and the improvement of livelihoods amongst individuals and communities within Thailand. We achieve this by raising awareness on the complex issue of poaching, supporting sustainable solutions that aim to tackle it, and educating others on the issue and its prevention.

Our Profile

Initially a Year 6 Primary Years Programme exhibition project in the 2010-2011 academic year, MushieMushie grew (no pun intended) into a service group at NIST that encompasses an array of issues and ideas. NIST’s first mushroom farm, which sprouted in 2011, not only promoted organic, local, sustainable food and provided experiential learning for EY students; it too replicated some of the ideas strived for by Freeland Foundation’s Surviving Together Programme.

Through years of running events for both elementary and secondary school, MushieMushie has successfully funded the Surviving Together Programme, providing a family with the ability to pursue an alternative livelihood of mushroom farming.

Which UN Sustainable Development Goals Do We Support?

To provide a clear context for the aims of service groups at NIST, we align our projects to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The SDGs work in the spirit of partnership and pragmatism to make the right choices now to improve life, in a sustainable way, for future generations.” This NIST group supports the following goals:

Key Contacts & Experts

Are you interested in learning more about this group? Contact one of the team members to discover ways that you can become involved.

Am (Rairat) Chunnananda

Student Leader

18amc@nist.ac.th

Teresa Tung

Teacher Mentor

ttung@nist.ac.th

Sustainability & Transparency

All NIST service groups are held to our community’s high standards and values: integrity, caring, community and growth.

Funds Raised (THB)

Funded 1 family out of poaching through the Surviving Together program

LONG-TERM GOALS

MushieMushie alleviate poaching in Thailand by consistently supporting Freeland’s Surviving Together program on a yearly basis, promote global sustainability in NIST via a consistent, systematic approach na dhave a sustainable MushieMushie mushroom farm at NIST, to promote environmental sustainability and provide local, organic produce to the NIST Community

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Expenses Breakdown

95% of all funds and resources raised have been directly funneled to the beneficiary communities.

Nuan Muangchan, a resident of Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

I’d poach at night to hide from the authorities. My arms and legs were filled with scars – from jumping off a cliff to escape them one time. But now, I wake up to see the green of the forest, and the natural colours of the mushrooms, and I feel proud and happy – I get to spend time with my husband and daughters, who help me with my business. And I am happy; I don’t need to destroy nature; I am pure.

Somai Kunork, Ex-Poacher Turned Farmer

Although I’ve just started, it’s going really well for me – the income is good, and my children have better lives”. Along the same lines, Boonrod Muangchan comments, “I don’t poach anymore. It’s difficult for me to find a job without a degree – that’s why I started the mushroom business; it gives me a permanent career, and encourages me to focus on long-term goals in my life”.

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Find resources

Access curriculum and learning materials that help develop and support our aims. Get inspired and feel supported with materials to help you take on service learning in your own community.